Don't call it a miracle but it comes really close. The young mother who was paralyzed after a shooting in Taylor's Alley in December might be able to walk again. We met Lisa Garoy after a gunman opened fire on her and her four month old son on December 19th. Her baby's arm was fractured and a bullet tore through Lisa's abdomen and damaged her spine. She was listed as paralyzed, confined to a wheel chair for the rest of her life. But, maybe not...Keith Swift found out how Lisa has defied all medical reasoning.
Keith Swift Reporting, [keithkswift@gmail.com]
Two weeks ago Lisa Garoy was in pain and holding on to hope as she laid paralyzed on a bed in the KHMH. Today we met Lisa still lying on a hospital bed but out of pain and remarkably, she is now able to move, wiggle even, her legs.
Lisa Garoy,
"I could move them."
Lisa underwent a 9-hour fixation procedure last weekend to ease her pain and eventually allow her to sit upright. It appears the surgery did more than that. Neurosurgeon Joel Cervantes says these new developments defy medicine.
Dr. Joel Cervantes,
"Lisa has shown a remarkable improvement after surgery. The first two days we noticed that she did have a lot of pain. What was very surprising is the third day after surgery, which was this past Friday, Lisa mentioned that the pain before surgery had practically disappeared. What is most surprising is that since yesterday in the afternoon we noticed that Lisa is moving both her legs, very slightly, but she's moving the right leg a little more. In fact she can flex her leg and that is very surprising because we had not expected that outcome."
It's a miracle to doctors but today a vibrant Lisa told us she never gave up hope.
Lisa Garoy,
I always believed I could move my leg. I will get up and walk. I could move them. As the numbness comes out,. I will lift it up and walk."
Keith Swift,
Are you still in pain?
Lisa Garoy,
"No."
Keith Swift,
How much longer before you think we will see you in Taylor's Alley?
Lisa Garoy,
"Within the other week."
Dr. Cervantes says he can't guarantee that but with his medicine and Lisa's ambition to walk - it could happen.
Dr. Joel Cervantes,
"I think if this patient has a lot of confidence in herself and this patient has a strong mind, with good physiotherapy, I think patient may surprise us even more. I personally have seen that people who have a strong mind, get some very surprising and striking results and Lisa might be one of those cases."
And as Lisa continues down her road to recovery, Lisa and her family say they got this far with the support from the public.
Lisa Garoy,
"I just want to thank the public for being there me, especially the doctors."
Aunt,
"Everyone who gave a little or gave something big we want to say a big thank you to all of them. We know that the operation was one step to recovery and we can see Lisa smiling now. She is moving her foot now. Its just that the swelling is there but we know that with time everything will come around. She is looking forward to moving from here. She has also asked her mother to buy her a pair of slippers so that when she gets up off this bed, she will be walking."
As mentioned, Lisa has a long road to recovery ahead and she still needs help. You can contact her family in Taylor's Alley or deposit donations in the family's bank account at Atlantic Bank. The number 210-6556-82.
